Karges Hand-Painted French Neoclassical Breakfront China Cabinet With Matching Buffet, 1970s

Details

Description

A monumental two-piece breakfront and matching credenza buffet by Karges Furniture of Evansville, Indiana, acquired new in the 1970s during … Read more A monumental two-piece breakfront and matching credenza buffet by Karges Furniture of Evansville, Indiana, acquired new in the 1970s during the company's celebrated era of hand-crafted American production. Karges, established in 1886 and recognized as one of America's premier high-end furniture houses alongside Baker, Henredon, and Kindel, ceased production in 2017 — making original hand-painted pieces from their golden era increasingly difficult to source.

This is a true statement piece. The entirely hand-painted Neoclassical decoration represents Karges at its most ambitious: each panel of the lower buffet was individually decorated by the company's in-house artisans in the Adam style, with urns, swags, ribbons, pendant medallions, and trailing foliate motifs rendered in soft polychrome on a cream lacquered ground. No two Karges painted pieces are alike, and the labor required for this level of decoration is the reason these pieces commanded the highest prices in the Karges catalog when new.

The Breakfront (Upper Section)
Four tall doors with original convex/bubble glass panels, framed by elegantly scrolled gilt-trimmed fretwork in a quatrefoil-and-oval pattern. The doors are set within a stepped architectural form with a hand-painted Neoclassical frieze running across the top in pastel scrollwork. Interior features adjustable shelving with plate grooves — designed to display fine china, crystal, and decorative objects. Cabinet locks with original hardware. Lighted interior (electrical cord visible in photos).

The Buffet/Credenza (Lower Section)
Substantial matching base in a breakfront-form silhouette with stepped front profile. Three drawers across the top are dressed with original ornate brass bail pulls in a foliate floret pattern. A central two-door cabinet flanked by single-door cabinets on each end provides generous storage. Every visible surface — front panels, side panels, drawer faces — is individually hand-painted with Neoclassical Adam-style decoration: urns, drapery swags, beaded medallions, ribbon ties, and delicate foliate scrollwork in soft polychrome tones of pale rose, sage, gold, and cream.

Maker & Provenance
Original Karges of Evansville, Indiana foil label intact (photographed). Single-owner provenance from 1970s purchase. A period interior photograph showing the breakfront in its original setting is available upon request — invaluable documentation for designers and collectors.

Condition
Excellent original vintage condition. The hand-painted decoration is exceptionally well-preserved with vibrant color retention. All convex glass panels are intact — original bubble glass is increasingly rare and costly to replace. Minor expected paint touch-up at the top edge of the breakfront crown (see photos). Structurally sound throughout. Cabinet locks functional. A genuinely unrestored, honest example with the authentic patina collectors specifically seek.

Dimensions
Buffet/credenza lower section: approximately 72" W × 18.5" D × 30.25" H (this height is based off the lower credenza only, not the entirety of the piece. Will update full height soon).

Why This Piece
Karges produced relatively few fully hand-painted pieces compared to their carved walnut and burl production, and most that have come to market are single china cabinets or chests — finding the breakfront and matching buffet together, from the same original owner, in original condition with intact convex glass, is genuinely rare. This is the kind of piece that anchors a formal dining room, a gracious foyer, or a designer's portfolio project.
The breakfront sells as a complete two-piece set. Local pickup welcome. White-glove shipping quote available upon request — buyer responsible for shipping arrangements and costs.Here's a Chairish listing description for the breakfront and matching buffet base as a standalone two-piece set. See less